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Ali Musa Gilani, son of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, is among the accused in the ephedrine quota case. — File Photo by Online

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday extended the bails of MNA Ali Musa Gilani, son of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and former federal minister for health Makhdoom Shahabuddin, DawnNews reported.

A three-judge bench of the apex court, led by Justice Nasirul Mulk, extended the bails for the two accused in the ephedrine scam case.

The bench further ruled that the bails for the two accused would remain in effect until the court reaches a verdict in the case.

The bench extended the bails after hearing the arguments of the counsels' of all those party to the case.

Earlier during the hearing, Musa Gilani's counsel, Khalid Ranjha told the bench that the allegations against his client of taking a bribe and using his political clout could not be proven.

Addressing Ranjha, Justice Tariq Pervez said that the allegations against his client entailed using his political position and making phone calls to certain individuals as opposed to possessing the controlled substance ephedrine.

Responding to which, Ranjha said all public representatives made phone calls to address the issues of their constituents, adding that, his client had not made any objectionable phone calls in the matter.

After the arguments of the petitioners' counsels, the lawyer for the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Shahid Abbasi said that the ANF's jurisdiction was to determine whether or not the ephedrine was misused.

Abbasi said political clout was used throughout to influence the case, adding that, the influence exercised by Tauqir Ahmed Khan, personal secretary to Musa Gilani, was on record.

Subsequently, the bench extended the bails of the two accused and adjourned the hearing.

Speaking to media representatives after the bail extension, Musa Gilani said that it had been proven today that the ANF tried to target him politically but failed.

Moreover, Makhdoom Shahab told reporters that God was on his side as he was being honest.